Management of Environmental Issues Associated with Small Scale Rural Water Supply Project Via Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Approach.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to screen out potential environmental impacts related to provide safe drinking water to Pallepalpita and Weragala Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) was carried out with the objective to identify and assess the environmental impacts associated with the proposed project and surrounding. Rapid Environmental Assessment was carried out using direct field observations from 05/01/2018 to 19/01/2018. Impacts that generated from project were categorized under three aspects; ecological impacts, community health and construction related impacts. Degree of impact was categorized under four categories as no impact, low, moderate and high. For each impact, mitigatory measures were suggested. Aspects with high degree of impact were not recorded, hence the proposed project has the potential of being initiated. Increased levels of noise and dust was identified as a moderate impact activity during the project. Moreover, flooding of excavations, increased soil erosion/silt runoff were identified as moderately impacting. Damage to other utilities such as roads and increased accidents and public safety issues due to construction work, material and machinery were identified as aspects with low impact. Significant impacts were not observed under the ecological impacts and community health. There was no special sensitive habitat area identified. In addition, the project area did not house any form of traditional economic and/or cultural activities. Adherence to the stipulated guidelines by Central Environmental Authority (CEA), implementation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP), ensuring the provisions in health and safety regulations under the Factory Ordinance were proposed as mitigatory measures for the impacts identified. In conclusion, the EMP of the project could be improved by incorporating mitigatory measures for the possible adverse effects during the designing, construction and operation stages of the project. Keywords: Environmental, Impacts, Rapid, Assessment, Mitigation